Letter: Vanorny's union ties help her stand out

Ron Nezerka

Over the past 30 years, I have known many families with union ties. The Vanorny family is one of them. Ashley Vanorny is the daughter one of my union brothers, the late IBEW member Dan Vanorny. She has decided to run for Cedar Rapids City Council. It would be a great asset to our city to have such an intelligent, involved individual as one of our representatives.

She has proved to be an experienced leader. She has served as a mentor to her sorority and place of business. She knows how to treat people with respect. She learned this from her dad and his extended union family.

She knows a union is more than just an organization; it’s a brotherhood. Upon graduating from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, she won an IBEW scholarship. Her entire life, she has seen how unions take care of their own, perhaps the most indicative example being the passing of her father. Without her father’s negotiated benefits and help from her extended union family, not only would her family’s life have been very difficult, it would have been nearly unbearable.

Her dad had a saying, “the strength of 10 men.” It means you can have power with your brothers behind you. She definitely believes in this concept, not only with union ties, but also as a community.

As a union member, I think it is time for a change, and plan to elect Vanorny. I believe it is time for the strength of 10 women.

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